Prognostic value of hypercalcaemia and leucocytosis in resected oral squamous cell carcinoma

Hypercalcaemia and leucocytosis are common in our patients with progressive oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, the precise incidence, prognostic value, and correlation with the condition of the tumour remain obscure. A total of 618 patients with oral SCC who were treated primarily between 2007 and 2012 and had serum calcium concentrations and white blood cell count (WCC) measured postoperatively were included in the study. Primary TNM stage, pathological features, and the presence of locoregional recurrence or distant metastasis after comprehensive surgical treatment were recorded. The incidence of hypercalcaemia was 9.1% and that of leucocytosis 7.2%. Hypercalcaemia correlated significantly with size of primary tumour (T status), nodal involvement (N status), TNM stage, perineural invasion, lymphovascular permeation, and recurrence or metastasis of disease. Leucocytosis, however, correlated only with T status, lymphovascular permeation, and recurrence or metastasis. In multivariate analysis of survival, recurrence, metastasis, hypercalcaemia, and leucocytosis were strong independent prognostic factors. Median survival was low if the patient had hypercalcaemia or leucocytosis (179 (range 3–73) days if the patient had distant metastasis, and 43 (range 3–102) days if the patient had locoregional recurrence). The incidence of hypercalcaemia and leucocytosis was high during the course of the disease, and both conditions have an adverse impact on survival from oral SCC. Periodic evaluation of serum calcium concentrations and WCC should be routine during the postoperative period.